On display near the coffin were pictures of Van Lier from his playing career. A huge floral arrangement sent by one of Van Lier's favorite musical groups, Chicago, adorned the room.

Van Lier died Thursday at 61.

Former Bears linebacker Doug Buffone, who teamed with Van Lier on "The Bull and the Bear Show" on The Score (670-AM), said he was struggling with the death of his longtime friend.

"You can say what you want about Michael Jordan and what a great player he was for the Bulls," Buffone said. "But nobody related to the fans of Chicago the way Norm did. They loved him. I'll really miss him."

Mike North and Dan Jiggetts, Comcast SportsNet hosts of "Monsters in the Morning," also attended the wake.

"It was pretty hard to get through the shows the past couple of days," North said. "This really hit hard. Norm was the best."

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Funeral arrangements

Norm Van Lier: Services are at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago at Michigan Avenue and Delaware Street.